During this inspection we spent time in the Emergency Assessment Unit, ward 5 (general medicine), general outpatients, the endoscopy unit and the main X-Ray department. Throughout the inspection we observed interaction between a range of different staff and their patients. We spoke with staff from various disciplines, spoke with seventeen patients and six relatives.

We saw that the premise had the appropriate measures in place to ensure people were treated with dignity and respect, including single sex bays, toilets, bathrooms and showers. We saw that in patients had access to call bells, which were within reach and which were answered in a timely way. Patient spoken with told us they were satisfied with the medical and nursing care provided and that they had been involved in their treatment options. Patients said, “The care here is spot on, I am well looked after. “ Other people said, “They have been absolutely fantastic and gone through in a very thoughtful manner the changes I could make to my lifestyle to stop me ending up back in hospital again” and “They have let me know what will happen every step of the way." Within outpatients, one person said,” I have been treated perfectly; the consultant gave a good explanation about my condition and in a way that made it easy for me to understand."

We found that there were good systems in place for the recruitment and selection of staff and for monitoring the vacancy situation.

Our rating of services improved. We rated it them as good because:

• Our rating of this hospital improved overall because maternity service had improved. The rating for well-led did not change because we also took into account previous ratings for services not inspected this time.